The REAL ID

In this post, you’ll find:

• “Did you get your REAL ID yet?”
• “Do I need to get a REAL ID?”
• My Experience (Before) in 4 parts
• My Experience (During) in 5 parts
• Tips + Notes

“Did you get your REAL ID yet?”

On Facebook, I asked friends if they have gotten their REAL ID. I don’t know the whole backstory, so if someone has more info, let me know, but I think it started with what happened on September 11th. Here in California, it goes into effect on October 1, 2020. Some friends have gotten their REAL IDs last year, some got it at the start of the year, some have appointments, and some don’t plan on getting it at all. Some friends had a good and quick experience, some said it was a nightmare.

I know people have been talking about it, but I didn’t know that appointments have been booked 3 months out. This is not a problem if your driver’s license is not expiring soon but both the husband and I need to renew our license by March and April. From what I hear, the urgency of getting the ID and knowing that an appointment guarantees you a spot actually made getting an appointment hard, therefore making your wait time to get the ID longer even if it shortens your wait time at the DMV. So depending on your need, you may or may not need to make/wait for an appointment. Their calendar only goes out 90 days.

“Do I need to get a REAL ID?”

From what I know, you don’t necessarily need to get one. You need it to fly domestically or to enter federal buildings. But there’s a workaround. Keep reading.

Here’s the answer on the website:

No. A REAL ID driver license or identification card is optional. A REAL ID is needed if: You wish to continue to use your driver license or identification card to board domestic flights within the U.S. or enter secure federal facilities. If you want to continue to use a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, military ID, enhanced driver license, or other federally accepted identification to do those things, you do not need to get a REAL ID, however, it is recommended.

My Experience (Before)

These types of things always seem like an ordeal to me so I’ll share how I processed all of this in case you’re an “overthinker” like me.

PART ONE: Talk to Others

Naturally, I talked to my siblings first and they shared how it was for them. That helped me know it wasn’t too bad and you just have to follow the list they have on the website. It’s not super confusing but it can be a challenge if your name is not the one on the bills. I did find a document (after the fact) with a clearer list of specific accepted documents.

PART TWO: Fill Out Online Application

I’m glad I thought to screenshot my confirmation number because after I finished I never received an email or anything that had the number on it. I do remember registering but I don’t see a way to log into an account to get that number. Since there were no available appointment times, I can’t tell you how all of that works.

PART THREE: Gather Documents

1. Proof of identity (1 document): I used my passport.
2. Proof of social security (1 document): I used my social security card.
3. Proof of residency (2 documents): I used an insurance statement and property tax form.

PART FOUR: Figure Out Best Times

We noted the wait time on the website throughout the week and saw that it was true that it is a little faster at the end of the day. My sister said her appointment was mid-week before lunch I believe and it wasn’t very packed. I’m taking this screenshot (below) on a Sunday when offices are closed but it will update during open hours. I feel like it’s pretty accurate as the time kept updating as we refreshed the page.

Here’s what I found from Mercury News:

Mid-week is usually less crowded than Mondays or Fridays. Any day before or after a holiday will likely be more crowded. The first and last days of the month are often busy with customers conducting last-minute business. Avoid the lunch hour. DMV workers often go on lunch break starting around noon, leaving a reduced crew.

We aimed to get there around 4 pm on Saturday. We saw the Hayward office that is closer to us had a shorter wait time. Apparently, even if you have an appointment, the wait time on the website was still just as long as having no appointment at certain times.

My Experience (During)

PART ONE: Start Here

There are 2 lines once you go in the doors. One for those with appointments and the other for those without. I think there was only one person in front of us so that was super fast. The lady there asked me what I was getting and she filled out the form with the info and a number. I had to fill out my name, phone number, and online application confirmation number and bring the form to the window. I think the person there entered my info into the computer (I wasn’t paying close attention) and told me to wait until my number is called.

PART TWO: Waiting

We brought the girls with us. I think their only knowledge of the DMV is the scene in Zootopia with Flash the Sloth. It was fun for them to learn how the whole process works. We waited maybe 25 minutes or so and my number was called.

PART THREE: Processing

I was at Window 16. I gave the person my form. She asked me for my documents. Then she said, “You look much younger than your age. That’s a compliment.” :p Thanks! 🙂 After the forms were processed, I got my thumbprint scanned, signed the papers after making sure my info would be correct on the REAL ID. Then, there was a quick eye exam. They only take cash, check, or debit card. I just used my cash at the Asian market and I don’t carry my checkbook around. I don’t really use my debit (or credit) card so I thought I was putting in the wrong PIN. She really thought it was the machine…and it was, so it finally took the third time! It is $37.

PART FOUR: Say Cheese

Next, I went over to the camera area. The lady spoke really softly so I hope I didn’t seem rude to her. I just couldn’t hear her instructions. I did, however, hear that she said, “Your photo on the last card is really nice.” Goes to show that it’s a misconception that there aren’t nice people at the DMV. There was another thumbprint scan and she didn’t tell me when to take it off, but luckily the person at Window 16 did tell me. She told me to stand in front of the camera. There are little feet things on the ground so you know where to stand. I couldn’t hear what she was saying to so I just stood there smiling the whole time and probably looking awkward.

PART FIVE: The End

The final thing was to go get my temporary Driver’s License. The lady there helped me at this last window for a minute and I was off!…but not quite because Norm was still finishing up. He ended up in the final line behind a 15-year-old kid who just finished the knowledge test to get his permit so it was extra long. We were waiting at the seats and the security guard was getting ready to close everything up. He was really nice in directing people to the remaining open doors and moving people to the front seats so they are ready to go so they could wrap it up at 5 pm.

It took us a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes. About 25-30 of those minutes was traveling to and from, so it was about 45 minutes for me but 55 minutes for Norm. My sister who had an appointment said it took her 40 minutes from getting there to leaving.

Tips + Notes

These are based on my own experience and the experience of those I’ve heard from who have gotten their REAL ID.

• Fill out the application online and screenshot your confirmation number!
• If you show up 20 minutes before your appointment time, they may still not let you check in until 10 minutes before your appointment time. Just a heads up in case you are an early arriver for appointments thinking you could get ahead of the crowd.
• Bring something to do while you wait. Even if you have an appointment, it will still depend on how long the appointment before you will take.
• They will text you as your number gets close…maybe about 10 minutes before, but…
• Don’t miss hearing your number called. Once your number is announced, they will call it out a few times really quickly and then move on to the next number. They will not wait.
• Have ALL your documents together and ready.
• You can take your thumb off of the scanner when the light goes off. They don’t always tell you this and then you’re standing there looking silly (mostly to yourself but still).
• They ONLY take cash, check, or debit cards.
• Parents, if you need to bring your kid and they can keep mostly quiet, there were lots of people with kids and babies there. Knowing you will get a text can be a relief that you can step out for a bit if you need to.
• It may look crowded but I think a lot of people came with another person to help with translation or a disability or with a kid getting their permit/license.

Did you get your REAL ID yet? Are you getting one? What was your experience? Do you have any tips?

Other useful links:

• REAL ID website
• Document Checklist (in different languages)
• Infographic to answer the question of if you need a REAL ID

An Update:

A week and a half later…I just received my new REAL ID. Since posting this post, I’ve heard from several people. Wait time may depend on where you live and how many people frequent the DMV and/or have not already gotten their ID. I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area and there’s a lot of people BUT from what I’ve observed, if you go during the off-time, I have not seen the wait time without an appointment go over 1 hour and 15 minutes – it mostly was around 35-50 minutes. I had one acquaintance say it took her 2 hours but she wishes she would have known to go into the handicap line. Someone I know did not fill out the online application, so even though they went in the shorter line, it took a long time to fill it out there. Another friend said she was able to upload her documents. I did not see that option when I was filling out the form and last week when I helped my mom fill it out. Maybe that part only shows up for those who are able to get an appointment or for certain offices.